Police memo: Foxx to end misdemeanor cannabis prosecution in Cook County

| Vapor Vanity

Cook County is ending the prosecution of persons who are busted with misdemeanor amounts of cannabis, according to a suburban police department memo secured by CWBChicago.

The move is being taken under “prosecutor discretion” by Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx who “has related that she supports Gov. [JB] Pritzker’s push to legalize cannabis,” the memo said.

Under Foxx’s direction, criminal charges will not be pursued against persons who are caught with between 30 and 100 grams of cannabis for the first time and those found in possession of fewer than 30 grams of cannabis, the author said, citing an assistant state’s attorney in Foxx’s office.

The odor of cannabis will still be considered probable cause for police officers to conduct searches, according to the police department memo, which added that its officers will continue to arrest cannabis violators under a local ordinance.

Foxx’s office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Chicago police are currently barred by a departmental directive from arresting anyone solely for possession of fewer than 30 grams of cannabis unless the individual fails to comply with ticketing procedures or there are aggravating circumstances.

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CWBChicago was created in 2013 by five residents of Wrigleyville and Boystown who had grown disheartened with inaccurate information that was being provided at local Community Policing (CAPS) meetings. Our coverage area has expanded since then to cover Lincoln Park, River North, The Loop, Uptown, and other North Side Areas. But our mission remains unchanged: To provide original public safety reporting with better context and greater detail than mainstream media outlets. Our editorial email address is news@cwbchicago.com